Graining machine



W. F. HUCK Nov. 20,1934.

GRAINING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet l mvzu rga.

Filed Oct. 20, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 W. F, HUCK GRAINING MACHINE Filed Oct. 20, 1930 Nov. 20, 1934.

Patented Nov. 20, 1934 I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIC GRAINING MACHINE temporary trustee Application October 20, 1930, Serial No. 489,898

8 Claims.

This invention relates to graining machines. As is generally known to those versed in the lithographic printing art, these machines are used for preparing the surfaces of metallic plates to receive the forms that are to be printed.

A graining machine consists of a box or tray having a flat bottom on which one or more plates are placed. Balls that may be formed of porcelain, steel, wood or any suitable material are placed in the box with an abrasive and water, and

it is then moved rapidly in a relatively small circular path. This motion results in rolling the balls or marbles as they are commonly called, over the surface of the plate and produces a grain on the surface which is essential to the preparation of the plate.

In graining machines as heretofore made, the box has been provided with vertical sides that form 90 degree angles with the bottom. Consid- .erable noise attended the operation of these machines due to the striking of the marbles against the sides of the box, and furthermore, suddenly arresting the motion of the marbles causedthem to bounce and interfered with their proper functioning.

In the graining machine disclosed herein, the box is formed with an'inclined portion between the flat bottom and the vertical sides, and in operation, the marbles near the sides of the box ascend the inclined portion whenthe motion of the box is reversed under them. Thus they are not brought to a stop instantly, as in the machines previously used, and a smooth graining action results.

Various types of mechanism have heretofore been employed for imparting the required circular motion to the box. That shown herein differs from mechanism previously used in having fewer shafts, gears and bearings, and in being simpler generally.

It is an object of the invention to provide a graining machine that will be relatively quiet in operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a graining machine in which the motion of the marbles will be so controlled as to prevent their bouncing.

Another object of the invention is to provide an operating mechanism for a graining machine that will provide the necessary circular motion to the box while utilizing relatively few and simple moving members.

Another object of the invention is to provide a graining machine in which the mechanism is counter weighted in such manner that the motion of the box is balanced and vibration avoided.

Another object of the invention is to provide a graining machine having an anti-friction, dustproof form of bearing for supporting the box.

It is also an object of the invention to provide I a graining machine of generally improved construction, whereby the device will be simple, durable and inexpensive in construction, as well as convenient, practical, serviceable and eflicient in its use.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, that will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts, and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that various changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein: I

Figure 1 is a plan viewpartly broken away showing the graining machine and the means for operating it; p

Figure 2 is a longitudinal side view partly broken away and partly in section showing the graining machine as viewedfrom the near side of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is 'a vertical sectional View showing portions of the mechanism for operating the box, as viewed in the direction of arrow 3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a sectional view of a drain fitting which provides means for draining'the box for cleaning; a I

' Figure 5 is an end view of the drain fitting shown Figure 4 as viewed in the direction of arrow 5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary plan view partly in section showing the means for elevating one end of the box when it is to be drained; a

Figure '7 is a side view partly in section showing the elevating mechanism shown in Figure 6 as viewed in the direction of arrow 7 of Figure 6; and

Figure 8 is a detail view partly in section, taken on the line 8-8 of Figure I m the direction of the arrow.

Referring to the drawings, the main frame of the machine as shown herein, is preferably formed of welded steel angle and channel bars consisting of base members 11, posts 12 and upper frame members 13, these parts comprising the main portions of the fixed frame. A movable frame preferably formed of steel angle bars is indicated at 14, and a box or tray is shown at 15. This box has a flat, horizontal bottom 16, substantially vertical sides 17 and inclined portions 18between the bottom and the sides. Hinges 19 are secured to the box and pivotally connect it to the movable frame 14.

Mechanism for raising one end of the box is indicated generally at 21, and portions of it are shown in detail in Figures 6 and 7. A bracket 22 is suitably secured to the main frame 13- and a shaft 23 is rotatably supported in bearings formed in the bracket. A ratchet wheel 24 and a hand wheel 25 are secured to the shaft 23, one portion of which is machined to form a pinion indicamd at 26, which engages a rack 27, cuton a plunger 28,

which is fitted to slide in the bracket :22. A

ratchet 29 is supported on a pivot 31, secured to the bracket 22, and is provided with a handle 32,

whereby it may be moved into or out (if-engage v is securedto the bracket 22, and serves as a guard operation is to be performed is indicated at Holding. down screws 36,. are threaded into blocks 37 and- 38, which are arranged to slide between channel bars 39. Blocks of wood or other suitable-material asindicated at 41, are placed on unused portions of the plate, and the screws 36 may be adjusted to bear on the blocks and hold the plate in position without injuring it.

Cups indicatedat42,are secured to each corner of the mainframe .12'and-have finished. surfaces 43 which form seats for balls 44. Thesides of the cupssurround the balls and extend to an elevation that is but slightly lower than ,the tops of the balls.- Bearing members 45 are secured to the movable frame or box support14 and are finished with fiat surfaces on their under sides forming bearing surfaces which rest on the balls. It will be noted that the bearing members are sufficiently larger in diameter to overlap the edges of the cups. With this arrangement, lubricant is retained within the cups and they are effectively sealed against the entrance of foreign matter.

Cross members 46 are secured to the upper frame members13, and serve to support a housing 47. A vertical drive shaft 48 is rotatably sup ported in a bearing 49, carried by the upper end of thehousing 4'7, and asimilar bearing carried by a cap 51, that is secured. to the bottom of the housing- 47. 'The'shaft48is formed with a crank 52, which is secured to the innermember of the ball 'bearing53, the outer member of which is fitted to a hub 54, that is secured to longitudinal members 55, which form a part of the frame 14. A1 bevel gear 56 is secured to the shaft 48 and meshes with a bevel gear 57, secured to the shaft 58, which is rotatably supported in a member59, secured to the housing 47., A pulley 60 is secured to the outer end of theshaft 58 and is connected to a pulley 61 on a motor 62 by means of a belt 63'. A- counter weight 64' is-secured to the shaft 48,-

being oppositely disposed thereon with respect to the crank 52, and a second counter weight 65, is secured to the lower end of the shaft 48 in opposite relation to the main counter weight 64. When the shaft 48 is rotated, the forces set up by the small counter weight 65. and the, box 15 containing the plate and graining material are counter weighted by the large counter weight 64, and the sizes of the counter weights are so proportioned that the entire system is substantially in dynamic balance.

Inthe preferred embodiment of the invention, synchronic levers 66 and 67 are fulcrumed on brackets 68 and 69 that are secured to one of thexmain frame members 13 and serve to maintain the. longitudinal center line of the box in parallelism with the center line of the frame, although allowing the box to be moved in a circular path, by the crank 52. A link '71 is pivotally connected to one end of each of the levers 66 and 6'7.v The opposite end of the lever 66 is pivotally connected to a link 72, which is pivoted to a bracket 73 secured to v the frame member 55. Similarly, link 74 is pivotally connected to lever 67 and a bracket '75 which is likewise secured to the frame member 55.

Means for draining the box is provided by a removable drain fitting indicated generally at 76. and shown in detail in Figures 4 and 5. This fitting is preferably formed with a cover portion 77, adapted to hold a gasket '78, arranged to bear against the outside of the sloping portion 18 of the box 15; the fitting being secured to the box by means of the bolts79. A spout portion. 80, is formed with a hollow bore that extends through the cover portion and is covered by a perforatedplate 81. The resilient lining 34, is cut away adjacent to the drain fitting76, and a separate piece of lining. indicated at 82,is secured to the drain fitting by'means of the bar 83. Thejend of the spout 30 is finished smooth and is covered by a cap-84, having a gasket 85 secured thereto by a plate 86. A stirrup 8'7 is pivotally secured to the tting by bolts 88 and is threaded to receive a clampscrew 89 which engages the cap 84, to seal the opening of the sp-out. It will be, understood that when the screw89'is loosened, the cap 84 maybe swung downward leaving the outlet of the spout free'to discharge the fluid from the box. The perforatedplate 81 will act to retain the graining marbles, but when the box requires cleaning, the entire fitting may be removed by unscrewing the bolts 79, andwhen the fitting is removed, the marbles will roll out. In operation, a plate to be grained, is placed in the'bottom of the box in position: so-that it will -overlap the strips of resilient material that extend around the sides. The plate is then clamped in position by means of. the clamp screws 36 and the requisite quantity of marbles, abrasive material and water isv placed in the box. When the motor isstarted, the box will be moved in acircular. path having a diameter equivalent to the throwof the crank 52. The synchronic leversv will act to maintain the longitudinal axis of the box injparallelism with the longitudinal axis of the main frame of the machine, andthe weight of the box will be carried on the balls which rotate in cups located at each corner of the frame. The motion thus imparted to the box results in causing a relative motion between the plate and the marbles that produces the desired grain on the plate. The motion imparted to the marbles causes them to run up the inclined surface of the box to some extent, but this motion ischecked before they reach the vertical sides and a smooth quiet action is obtained.

It has been found that the resilient lining strips extending from beneath the plate to the sides of the box are acted upon but very slightly by the marbles and the graining material, whereas if they are not used, there is considerable wear on the portions of the box with which the abrasive material comes in contact.

When it is desired to clean the box, the elevating mechanism 21 is operated, and by opening the drain fitting, the fluid will be drained from the box.

What I claim is:

1. In a graining machine, a frame comprising a fixed member and a movable member adapted to support a box, a pair of levers having pivotal connections secured to one of the frame members, a connecting link between the levers and connecting links between each lever and the other frame member.

2. In a graining machine, a frame, a box and means for imparting a circular motion to the box in a horizontal plane; said means including a vertical driving shaft having a crank member operatably connected to the box, and a guiding mechanism including levers having fulcrums secured to the frame, a link connecting one end of one lever and one end of the other lever, and other links pivoted to the other end of each of the levers and operatably connected to the box.

3. In a graining machine, a frame, a box movable horizontally with relation to the frame, a vertical drive shaft rotatably supported in the frame and having an eccentric driving connection operatably connected to the box, and a guiding mechanism including a pair of levers having fulcrums secured to the frame, a connection between the levers, and links operatably connecting the levers to the box.

4. In a graining machine, a frame, a box support, a vertical driving shaft rotatably supported in the frame having an eccentric driving connection operatably connected to the support, a first counter weight secured to the shaft and oppositely disposed with respect to the driving connection, a second counter weight secured to the shaft and oppositely disposed with respect to the first counter weight, and a guiding mechanism for the support including levers oscillatable on pivots secured to the frame, a connection between the levers, and other connections operatablyconnecting the levers to the support.

5. In a graining machine, a fixed frame member, a box movable with respect to the frame member and in a horizontal plane, a drain opening in the box, a drain fitting covering the opening and having a passage through which the box may be drained, and a lifting mechanism on the frame normally out of engagement with the box but engageable with the box to lift same when desired; said mechanism being adapted to, raise and support the end of the box opposite the opening.

6. In a graining machine, a fixed frame member, a box movable with respect to the frame member in a horizontal plane, a drain opening in one end of the box, a drain fitting adapted to cover the opening and having a normally closed spout that may be opened to drain the box and a perforated member adapted to strain fluid being drained from the box, and a lifting mechanism secured'to the frame and normally disconnected from the box; said lifting mechanism being adapted to raise and support the end of the box opposite the opening.

7. In a graining machine, a fixed frame member, a box support movable with respect to the frame member and in a horizontal plane, a box hinged to the support, a drain opening in the box, a removable fitting including a drain spout covering the opening, said drain spout having a stirrup pivotally secured thereto, a cap swingably mounted on said stirrup and a lifting mechanism on the frame adapted to raise and support the end of the box opposite the opening; said lifting mechanism including a rotatable shaft having a hand wheel and a ratchet wheel secured thereto, a pawl engaging the ratchet wheel and a manual release for the pawl operable by an attendants hand when holding the hand wheel.

8. In a graining machine, a box having a substantially flat bottom, sides secured to said bottom, said sides including inclined portions connected to said flat bottom and lateral members directly secured to said inclined portions, cushioning material secured to said inclined portions for preventing wear thereof, a screened opening for draining said box, a spout secured to the box adjacent said opening, a stirrup hinged to the spout, a closure element for the spout swingably mounted on said stirrup, and means for manipulating said closure element when desired.

WILLIAM F. HUCK. 

